Shopping for gifts online? CrimeStoppers offers tips to deter porch pirates

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With the holiday season here, many consumers will opt to do their shopping online, which means households can expect deliveries through December.

Porch pirates will be on the prowl, eager to steal any packages they see lying out in the open.

“First and foremost, the public needs to be aware that these types of things are happening, that there are porch pirates out there. We’ve had many cases where there are people following UPS drivers, FedEx drivers, even your postman,” HPD Sgt. Chris Kim of CrimeStoppers Honolulu said.

Sgt. Kim offered some holiday tips to keep your packages safe.

Some of these tips include:

• Investing in a lockable, secure mailbox
• Ensure delivery instructions are clear and consider asking carriers to hide the package somewhere other than your front door
• Ask a trusted neighbor to grab packages if they are delivered while you’re not home
• Security cameras can serve as a deterrent for criminals

If you do fall victim to porch pirates, you’re urged to contact the police. If you have security cameras installed, submit that footage to CrimeStoppers and other authorities.

If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, contact police. CrimeStoppers always accepts anonymous tips from the community via the P3 Tips mobile app, their website, and by phone at 808-955-8300.

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